Reclining article of furniture



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 21, 1947 INVENTOR 4/1/70 4020/2 BY Nov. 20, 1951 A. LORENZ 2,575,380

RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed Jan. 21, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 mvzm-on 4mm [ape-N2 HIS ATTORNEY Nov. 20, 195] A. LORENZ RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 iled. Jan. 21, 1947 INVENTOR An. ion. L UR E/VZ Patented Nov. 20, 1951 UNITED STATES OFFICE Application January 21, 1947, Serial N01723j4l3 *In SwedenFebruary 4, 1946 1 5 Claims. 1

This is a continuation-impart of abandoned patent application Ser. #640,263 filed Jan. 10, 1946 for A Reclining Article of Furniture, the latter being a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. #580,377 filed March 1, 1945 for A Reclining Article of Furniture which matured into U. S. Patent 2,433,521.

The present invention relates to articles of furniture, and more particularly to a reclining article of furniture, wherein the seat and the back-rest form movable links of a polygonal compound linkage swin'gably mounted on a support, a portion of the latterforming the stationary link of said linkage.

An object of the present invention is to provide an article of furniture of above described type with a mechanism, simple in" construction, -for controlling the movements of the seat and the back-rest in dependence on each other.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a reclining article of furniture wherein the change in the angle between the backrest and the seat during amovement of said members may be readily adapted to the requirements of users of the article offurniture.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a reclining article of f-urn'iture of above described typewith means, by which theusero'f the article of furniture may alter'the inclination of the back-rest while the seat is held in a predetermined position.

A further object of thepresent invention is-to provide a reclining article of furniture'of above described type with means, by which the user of the furniture may alter the inclination of the seat while the back-rest is held in a predetermined position.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a reclining article of furniture of above described type with means, by which the userof the article of furniture may alter the degree of the change in the inclination of the back-rest from the sitting positioninto the extremereclining position while the degree of the change inthe inclination of the seat from the sitting position into the extreme reclining position remains substantially unchanged.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a reclining article of furniture of-above described type with means, by which I the user of the article of furniture may alter the degree of change in the inclination of the seat from the sitting position into the extreme reclining position While the degree of the change -intheiincli nation of the back-rest fr'om the sitting-position ,2 into the extreme reclining-position remains subistantiallly unchanged.

-Stillanother object of the present invention is to improve upon "reclining articles of furniture as now ordinaril-y made.

Withthe above and other objects-of the invenrtion in view, =th'e invention:consists :the novel construction arrangement and combination :of various devices, eleme'nts andipartsgas set forth in the claims hereof, certainembodiments of the same being described in the specification and being illustrated in the accompanying drawings iormingpart of this specification, wherein:

, Fig. l isa sideielevationaltview'ofamadijustable desk chair according to' the invention,

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the desk chairi'shown in Fig. 11, taken on line'.2--2, aaportioniof the seat beingbrokeniaway, V Fig.8 is ta side' celevationa'l view of lan=adjustable reclining .chair equipped with la -movable leg-rest, a portion of a aside {wall of the support :being broken away, i

:Fig. 24 :is :a sectional =view of ea lockin device arranged ::on the chair shownl-in Fig. 3 taken on .li-ner4--'4 of Fig.3 inan enlarged scale, 1

Fig. 5 is :a side elevational view :of another embodiment :ofan adjustable reclining chair according totheL-invention,

Fig. ;6 issa side elevzation'al View of still another embodiment 50f a reclining chair according to ,the invention, a portion of aside wall ofthe support being-.brokenaway, V 1

Fig. 7 is a side elevational View of another embodimentgof a :recliningwhainaccording to the invention, a portion of a side wall of the support being broken :away,

, Fig. 8 is aperspective 'viewlof the support'of the chair shownginlfiig'flsa unit'zpertaining to the link-system of thechair ibeing mounted the support, 1

Fig.3!) is a fragmentary side 'elevational view of the safety devicefiarranged 1 onzthe support-for holding the unit of the acha'ir shown in Figs. :7 and 8linvits. position,

Fig. "10 is a perspeotiveview of a different embodiment of 'a unit, which may be used in w'the chair shown.in liignl'xand Fig. ll. is-a -sectional view of *the locking device of the chair shown in Fig. 1, taken on line :l-1:l I of Fig.1.

Referring .now 'to Figs. i1 :andn2, .lmgenerally indicates a ipedestal of a :desk icha-ir, which" may be ofzany/conventional type. imsupporting-mm= her I 2: comprising-a cross bar M rand: an extension l6 having la n .arm 1'8 omeachsideof :thei'chaii is carried by a spindle 28 screwed into a threaded bore of the pedestal I8.

As best shown in Fig. 1, the rear end portion of a seat 38 is pivoted to the support |2 at 25. On each side ofthe chair, the lower end portion of a front link 48 is pivoted to said seat at 42. The upper end portion of said front link is pivotally connected at 44 with a connecting link 26. The lower end portion of said connecting link 26 is pivoted to the support |2 at 28 at a point spaced from the pivotal connection 25 between the seat 38 and the support I2. Said seat 38, said front 4 rangement of the movable members of the chair as described permits a construction of the chair with very well balanced movable members, which may be easily brought from one position into another one.

According to the embodiment shown in Fig. l, the sitting position of the movable members of the chair is limited by a stop 46 arranged on the support |2 for cooperationwith the seat 38. The

extreme reclined position of the movable members of the chair is limited by another stop 48 mounted on the support l2 for cooperation with link 48, said connecting link 26 and the stationary portion of the support i2 between the pivotal connection 28 of the connecting link 26 with the support and the pivotal connection 25- of the seat 38 with the support |2 "form the links of a' four-bar link-mechanism. v

The lower end of a back-rest 22 is pivoted to the support |2 at 24 at a point spaced from the pivotal connection 25- between thewseat, 38 and the support l2. On each side of the chair, the

rear end of a top link3|l is pivoted to an intermediate point 32 of said back-rest 22. above the pivotal connection 24 between the back-rest 22 and the support l2. The front end of each top link 30 is pivotally connected at 34 with an extension 96 of the connecting link 26. According .to,the drawings, said extension 96 of the connecting link 26 projecting beyond the pivotal connection 44 of the connecting link 26 with the frontlink 46 is integral with said connecting link; it is understood, that said extension 96 and said connecting link 26 could be made of two separate pieces rigidlyconnected with each other, if desired.

As'will be apparent from above, the seat 38 and the back-rest 22 form movable links of a polygonal compound linkage comprising the movable links 38, 48, 26-96, 38, 22 and the stationary portions 28-25, 25-24 of the support l2.

When the user of the chair leans the weight of'his body against the back-rest 22 so as to bring same into the r'eclin'ed position shown in dash and dot lines in'Fig. 1, the seat 38 is lifted through the medium of the front link '40 pivotally connected with the connecting link 26 which, in turn, is pivotally connected with the top link 38 pivoted to the back-rest in the manner described above. During said movement of the movable members of the chair from the sitting position shown in full lines into the reclined position shown in dash and dot lines, the angle between the back-rest 22 and the seat 38 is increased.

As will be readily understood, the degree of lifting the seat 38 depends on the length of the 7 front link 48 and its connections with the connecting link 26 and the seat 38. Forexample, if the front link 48 were of shorter length and were connected with the connecting link 26 at a point below the pivot 44, the seat 38 would be lifted to a greater degree, when the proportions of the linkage 26-96, 38, 22, 24-25, 25-28 remain unchanged and the back-rest 22 is brought into the extreme reclined position shown in Fig. 1. In other words, owing to above described control of the seat 38 by the front link 48pivoted to the connecting link 26; the designer of the chair has a Wide range for obtaining different degrees of inclination of the seat and for obtaining different relative positions between the seat and backrest in the reclined position, so as to make the chair as comfortable as possible for various uses. Furthermore, it'may. be mentioned, that the 'arthe back-rest 22.

The back-rest and the seat may be held in any desired position, for example in the extreme reclined position or in any other intermediate position, by means of a locking device generally innecting the rear end of a top link 38 with the back-rest 22. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 11, said locking device 58 comprises a handle 5| screwed on the threaded end of the pivot 32. Said pivot 32 has a head ,53 resting against the surface of the back-rest 22. A square portion 55 of the pivot 32 is inserted into a corresponding square aperture of the back-rest 22, whereby the pivot 32 is prevented from rotation when the locking lever 5| is turned. When the user of the chair loosens the locking handle 5|, the surface of the hub 51 of said handle is disengaged from the surface of the top link 38, so that the movable members of the chair may be freely moved from one position into another one. When the locking handle 5| is tightened, the surface of the hub of the handle is pressed against the top link 38, whereby the latter is pressed against the backrest 22 engaged with the head 53 of the pivot 32, so that the members of the chair are held in their position. Of course, any other type of locking device may be used instead of said locking device 58, if desired.

In the adjustable reclining chair shown in Fig. 3, the rear end portion of the seat 338 is swingably mounted on acasing-like support 3|2 at 325. Said seat 338 has a series of holes 356 near its front end. Likewise, the lower end portion of the front link 346 is provided with a series of holes 358, so that a pivot 342 may be selectively engaged with one hole of the series of holes 356 and one hole ofthe series of holes 358 for a pivotal connection of the lower end portionof the front link 348 with the seat 338. In a similar manner the connecting link 326 and its extension 396 are provided with a series of holes 368 for a selective engagement with a pivot 344 passing through a bore of the upper end of the front link 348. The lower end of the connecting link 326 is swingably mounted on the support 3|2 at 328 at a point spaced from the pivotal connection 325 between the seat 338 and the support 3I2.

The;back-rest 322 is swingably mounted on the support 3|2 at 324' at a point spaced from the pivotal connection 325 between the seat 338 and the support 3 2. The rear end of the top link 338 is pivoted to an intermediate point 332' of the back-rest in a plane above the plane of the seat 338. The front portion of the top link 338 is provided with a series of holes 354 for selective engagement with a pin 334 passing through a bore of the extension 396 of the connecting link As will be readily understood, above described arrangement. of the members of the polygonal compound linkage of thechair shown in Fig. 3

when

corresponds "to the 'arrangenre if he olyedealg n eu a m. shown inFig. 1. The arrangement of the various series or notes to: selective; engagement with various pins {permits odification' an d adjust meat or the sheen e11 n'gth er theconneoting unit 326 and/Q1 ,frontlink 1340 and/or top link 33o and '01- s nses; i A leg-rest 362 provided with a series or holes 364 swingably mounted on'the front end of the seat 338 at 366. One end oifa controlling link 33B passin th ough a siotsisg r the su port3l2 is pivoted to the legrest 362 by 31!] passing throughone holefof a series i holes 372 arranged on the controlling link 7 irifiited into one h'die bf the 's rieslif holes 334 (if thel'e'g-res't .362. The otheif'end "ofsaidcon training link 368 is p'ivo'tall'y c'o'nheted with a downward extension 352 j ofthe bajck restt'tfl by means of a pivot 3T4 pas si g'through onefholeof a series ofholes 37B ar angedon the controlling link 353 and inserted into one hole of a series of holes3'i8 arranged on the downward extensto es-2 of the back-rest. According to the embodiment shownin Fig. 8, the downvvard'eiiten sion 352 of theb'ack rest 322"p1'ojecting beyond its .p'i'vot'al connection "324 with the support is integral with said back-rest '32:; if desired-,"the back-rest 322 and the downward extensicn352 of the'l'attfer could be made of separate pieces rigidly connected with each other. The effective length of the controlling-1ink358 maybe varied and adjusted by'the insertion of the pin "313 a' dyo'r the pin 314 into different holes of the various series of'hol'es. I

When the movable members'fof "the chair are connected with each other as sho wn in Fig. 3, a movement of the back-rest 322 from the'si t ting position shown in full lines into the reclined position shown infd'ash and dot lines causes a movement of the seat 338from the'sittingposition shown in full lines into the reclined position shown in dash and dot lines according to the sameprinc'iple as described above in connection with Fig. '1. Furthermore, the -leg-rest 362 is brought from the sitting positionshown in full lines intofthe reclined position "shown in dash and dot lines by means of thecontrolling link 368. r V

The sitting position of the movable members or the chair 'islim'ited by the upper edge of the support'3l 2, onwhich the seat 333*conres to {a rest, and the extremereclinedposition of the movable members of the chair is limited bya stop 348 mounted on the support 3 l2 for engagement with the back-rest 322. I v

Fig.8 illustrates two lockin'gdevice's'. Thefirst locking device 353 arranged on the pivot-332 is of the same construction as the locking device 56 described above in connection with Figsfi'l "and 11. The second locking devicegenerally indicated by 380 comprises :a bar 382 swing'ably mounted on a frame member of the seat 338at 384 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Saidba-r 3 32 has a slot 386 for slidable engagement v/ithabolt 388 having a square portion aeu inserted into a corresponding square aperture of the support 312. The bolt 388 has onone of its ends a head 392 'for engagement with a surface of the bar. A locking knob -394is "screwed onto the opposite threaded end of the boltf388 "projec'ting from'the support 312. If the-lockingknob'394 is loosened, the bar 382 may befreely movedgso tha-t the seat 338 and the other mova'ble members l of the chair connected with theseat may be broughtinto any 6 desired position. If, however, the looking knob 394 is tightened, so that it clamps thebfar 332 by means of the head-392 of thebolt 388 against. the support 312, the seat and the movable mem bers of the chair connected therewith are firmly held in their position. i

If the members of the chair are connectedwith each other as shown in Fig. 3, the members may be held in any desired position by tightening either one of said two locking devices 356 or 3-80. If the user of the chair wishes to have the back-rest at a different angle relative to the seat when the latter is in a certain position, he may hold theseat in said certain position by tightening the locking device 383. The other locking device 35!) remains in loose condition. Now, "the user of the chair may change the position of the pivotal connection 334 between the top link 333 and the extension 396 of the guiding link 326 by inserting the pm 334 into another hole of the series of holes 354, whereby the angle between the back-rest 322 and the seat 338 may be changed. Furthermore, the user of the chair may insert the pin 334 into another hole of the series of holes 360 of the guiding 11m 32s fcr changing the efiective length thereof.

When the user of the chair wishes to have the seat in a different position relative to the backrestwhen the latter is in a certain reclined positi.on,the back-rest is held in said position by a tightening of the locking device 358 while the locking device 333 remains in loose condition. Now, the user of the chair may bring the seat into a difierent position relative to the b ack rest by altering the position of the pivotal connection 342 and/or 344 bytinserting the respective pins into another hole of the series of holes 356, 353 and/or 360.

Above described changein the position of the back-rest 322 and/or the seat 338 causes a change in the degree of change of angularity'between the back-rest and the seat during a move ment from the sitting positioninto the reclined position. If the back-rest alone is adjusted in a different position, the degree of change of the inclination of the seat will remain substantially unchanged. If the seat alone is adjusted in a different position, the degree of change of the inclination of the back-rest will remain substantially unchanged.

In a similar manner, a change of the position of the pivotal connections 31!] and/or 314 by inserting the pins in different holes results in a change in the movement of the leg-rest 352 relative to the seat 338. r r,

According to the embodiment of a chairsh'own in Fig. 5, the support 5| 2 comprises two ,side bars 5| I, 5l3 of tubular material, one on each sideof the chair, which are connected with each other by a bracing member 5 l5- and are mounted on a base member 5|] of an integral piece of tubular material by welding, for example. The rear end of the seat 538 is swingably mounted on the support 5l2 at 525. On each side of the chair the lower end portion of a front link 543 is pivoted to the seat 538 at 54:2. The upper end portion of said front link .543 is pivoted at'544 to the upper end of a connecting link 526, the lower end -.of which is pivoted to the support M2 at 323 at a point spaced from the pivotal connection '525 between the support5l2 and the seat 533. .The seat538, the front link 540, the connecting link 5'26and thestatioriary portion of the support 5&2 between the pivots 52-8 and5'25 forma i'our-bar link-mechanism.

was

7 The back-rest 522 is swingablymountedat 524 on the support 512. at a point spaced from the pivotal connection 525 between the seat 538 and the support 512. On each side of the chair the rear end portion of a top link 5311 is pivoted to an intermediate point 532 of the back-rest '522 in a plane above the plane of the seat 538. The front end of the top link 5311 is pivoted at 534 to an intermediate point of the connecting link 526 between the pivotal connection 544 of the connecting link 526 with the front link 546 and the pivotal connection 528 of the connecting link 526 with the support 521.

The sitting position of the movable members of the chair is limited by a stop 546 mounted on the support 512 for cooperation with the seat 538; When the back-rest 522 is swung about its pivot 524 into the extreme reclined position limited by an abutment of the back-rest 522 against the stop 548 mounted on the support 512, the movable members of the chair are likewise brought into a reclined position as shown in dash and dot lines in Fig. 5. r

The movable members of the chair may be held in any desired position by means of a locking device 556 arranged on the pivot 532.

The mechanism of the chair shown in Fig. 6 substantially corresponds to the mechanism of the chair shown in Fig. 5. In Fig. 6, 638 indicates the seat pivoted to the support 612 at 625. 640 indicates the front link pivoted to the seat 638 at 642 and pivoted to the upper end of the connecting link 626 at 644. The lower end of the connecting link 626 is swingably mounted on the support 612 at 628. 622 indicates the back-rest swingably mounted on the support 612 at 624. 630 indicates the top link, one end of which is pivoted to the back-rest 622 at 632, the other end of which is pivoted to an intermediate point of the connecting link 626 at 634. In contrast to the showing of Fig. 5, however, the connecting link 626 is in the shape of a bent link, so that the three pivots 628, 634, 644 are not in alignment with each other. Thus, Fig. 6 illustrates a further modification of the mechanism according to the invention by the use of a bent link 626, whereby a further variation in the degree of the change of the angle between the back-rest and the seat during a movement thereof from the sitting position into the reclined position is rendered possible.

The sitting position of the seat 638 is limited by the upper edge of the front wall of the support 612. When the back-rest 622 is swung about its pivot 624 from the sitting position shown in full lines into the extreme reclined position shown in dash and dot lines and limited by the stop 648, the seat 638 is brought into its extreme reclined position, likewise shown in dash and dot lines.

According to the embodiment of a reclining chair shown in Figs. 7-9, the rear end of the seat 138 is swingably mounted on the support 112 at 125. On each side of the chair, the lower end of a connecting link 126 is rigidly connected with a transverse rod 128 rotatably arranged in recesses 129 of the side walls of the casing-like support 112. Said recesses 129 are open at the top. The two connecting links 126 positively connected with said transverse rod 128 form a unit generally indicated by 131 and swingably mounted in said recesses 129 of the support 112. During the assemblin of the elements of the chair, said unit 131 may be readily inserted is held in its position by means of safety members 133 attached to each side wall of the support 112 by screws. Furthermore, on each side of'the chair, the upper end of a telescopic front link 146 is pivoted to the upper portion of the unit 131 at 144, and the lower end of each telescopic front link 146 is pivoted to the seat 138 at 142i The effective length of each telescopic controlling link 1411 may be adjusted by means of a set screw 141. Each connecting link 126 of the unit 131 has an extension 196 projecting beyond the pivotal connection 144 between the front link 1411 and the unit 131. The back-rest 122 is swingably mounted on the support 112 at 124. On each side of the chair, the rear end of a top connecting link 130 is pivoted to an intermediate point 132 of the back-rest 122. The front end of each top link 1311 is pivoted to an extension 196 of the unit 131 at 134.

The back-rest 122.has a downward extension 152 substantially in the center of the chair. One end of a telescopic controlling link 168 is pivoted to said extension 152 at 114, the other end of said telescopic controlling link '168 passing through a slot 119 of the support 112 is pivoted at 1'10 to a leg-rest 162 swingably mounted'on the seat 138 at 166. The effective length of the telescopic controlling link 168 may be adjusted by means of a set screw 169.

The sitting position of the movable members of the chair is limited by the upper edge of the support 112 cooperating with the seat. and the extreme reclined position of the movable members shown in dash and dot lines is limited by a stop 148 mounted on the support for cooperation with the back-rest. V V

The movable members of the chair maybe held in any desired position by means of a locking device 150.

Fig. 10 illustrates a different embodiment of a unit 131a which may be substitutedfor the unit 131 of the chair shown in Figs. '7 and 8. According to Fig. 10, the unit 1310!. is made of an integral rod shaped in suitable manner.

I have described preferred embodiments of my invention, but it is understood that this disclosure is for the purpose of illustration, that the in-' vention may also be applied to various other types of reclinin articles of furniture, such as garden chairs, chairs for use in railroad cars,

chairs for use in airplanes, sofas, lounges, etc.,

and that various omissions or changes in shape, proportion and arrangement of parts, as well as the substitution of equivalent elements for those, herein shown and described, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. What I claim is:

l. A reclining article of furniture, comprising;

oted to the upper portion of said connecting link,

said seat, said front link, said connecting link and the stationary portion of the support between the pivotal connections of the connecting link with the support and of the seat with the support forming the links of a four-bar linkmechanism, a back-rest, said back-rest being pivf: into said recesses 129 from above. The unit 131 ot d to said support at a point spaced from and,

asmsao out of coaxialalignment with the pivotal connection of the seat with the support, and a top link, therear end of said top link being pivoted to an intermediate point of said back-rest above the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support, and the front portion of said to'plink being pivoted to a point of the connecting link spaced from its pivotal connection with the front link.

2- A reclining article of furniture, comprising: a support, a seat pivoted to said support at its rear end portion, a connecting link, the lower portion: of said connecting link being pivoted to said support at a point spaced from the pivotal connection between the seat and the support, a front link, the lower portion of said front link being pivoted to the front portion of said seat. the upper end portion of said front link being pivoted to the" upper portion of said connecting link, said seat, said front link, said connecting link and the stationary portion of the support between the pivotal connections of the connecting, link with the support and of the seat with the support forming the links of a four-bar linkmechanism, said connecting link having an extension projecting beyond its pivotal connection with the front link, a back-rest, said back-rest being pivoted to said support at a point spaced from and out of coaxial alignment with the piv: otal connection of the seat with the support, and a top link, the rear end of said top link being pivoted to an intermediate point of said backrest above the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support, and the front portion of said top link being pivoted to said extension of the connecting link.

3. A reclining article of furniture, comprising: a support, a seat pivoted to said support at its rear end portion, a connecting link, the lower portion of said connecting link being pivoted to said support at a point spaced from the pivotal connection between the seat and the support, a front link, the lower portion of said front link being pivoted to the front portion of said seat, the upper end portion of said front link being pivoted to the upper portion of said connecting link, said seat, said front link, said connecting link and the stationary portion of the support between the pivotal connections ofthe connecting link with the support and of the seat with the support forming the links of a four-bar linkmechanism, a back-rest. said back-rest being pivoted to said support at a point spaced from and out of coaxial alignment with the pivotal connection of the seat with the support, and a top link, the rear end of said top link being pivoted to an intermediate point of said back-rest above the pivotal connection hetweenthe backrest and the support, and the front portion of said top link being pivoted to an intermediate point of the connecting link between its pivotal connections with the front link and the su port.

4. A reclining article of furniture, comprising:

a support, a seat pivoted to said support at its rear end portion, aconnecting link, said con necting link beingin the shape of a bent link. the lower portion of said connecting link being pivotedto said su port at a point spaced. from the pivotal connection between the seat and the support, apfront link, the lower portion ofsaid front link being pivoted to the front portion of said seat, the upper end portion of said front link being pivoted to the upper portion of said connecting link; saidseat, said front link, said connecting link and the stationary portion of the ill) support between the pivotal connections of the connecting link with thesupport and of the seat with the-support forming the links of a four-bar link-mechanism, a back-rest, said back-rest being pivoted to said support at a point spaced fromand out of coaxial alignment with the pivotal connection of the seat with the support, and a top link, the rear end of said top link being pivoted to: an intermediate point of said backrest above the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support, and the front portion of said top link being pivoted to a point of the connecting link spaced from its pivotal connection with the front link.

5. A reclining article of furniture, comprising: a support, a seat pivoted to said support at its rear end portion, a connecting link, the lower portion of said connecting link being pivoted to said support at a point spaced from the pivotal connection between the" seat and the support, a front link, the lower portion of said front link being pivoted to the front portion of said seat, the upper end portion of said front link being pivoted to the upper portion of said connecting link, said seat, said front link, said connecting link and the stationary portion of the support between the. pivotal connections of the connecting link with the support and of the seat with the support forming the links of a four-bar link mechanism, a back-rest, said back-rest being 'plV- oted to said support at a point spaced from and out of coaxial alignment with the pivotal connec'-' tion of the seat with the support, a top link, the rear end of said top link being pivoted to an intermediate point of said back-rest above thepiv otal' connection between the back-rest and the support, the front portion of said top link being pivoted to a point of the connecting link spaced from its pivotal connection with the front link. and means whereby the effective length 'of said connecting link may be varied and adjusted.

6 A reclining article of furniture, comprising: asupport, a seat pivoted to said support at its rear end portion, a connecting link, the lowerportion of said connecting link being pivoted to said support at a point spaced from the pivotal connection' between the seat and the support, a front link, the lower portion of said front link being pivoted to the front portion of said seat,- the upper end portion of said front link being pivoted to the upper portion of said connecting link, said seat, said front link, said connecting link and the stationary portion of the support between the pivotal connections of the connecting link with the support and of the seat with the support forming the links of a four-bar linkmechanism, a back-rest, said back-rest being pivoted to said support at a point spaced from and out of coaxi'al'alignment with the pivotal connection of the seat with the support; a top link, the rear end of said top link being pivoted toan intermediate point of said back-rest above the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support, the front portion of said top link being pivoted to a: point of" the connecting link spaced from its pivotal connection with the front link, and means whereby the effective length of said front link may bevaried. and ad"- justed.

7. A reclining article of furniture, comprising: a support, a seat pivoted to said support at its rear end portion, a connecting link, the lower portion of said connecting link being pivoted'to said support at a pointspaced from the pivotal connection between the seat and the support; a

11 front link, the lower portion of said front link being pivoted to the front portion of said seat,

the upper end portion of said front link being pivoted to the upper portion of said connecting thepivotal connection between the back-rest and the support; the front portion of said top link being pivoted to 'a' 'p'oint'of the connecting link spaced from its pivotal connection'with the front link, and means whereby the effective length of said top link may be varied and adjusted:

8. A reclining'article of furniture, comprising: a support, a seat pivoted to said support at its rear end portiorl; a connecting link, the lower portionpf said connecting link being pivoted to said support at a point spaced from the pivotal connection between the seat and the suppo'rt,a front link, the lower portion of said front link bein'g pivoted to the front portion of said seat, theupper end portion of said front link being pivoted to the upper portion of said connecting link, said seat, said front link, said connecting link and the stationary portion "of the support between the pivotal connections of the connecting link with the support and of the seat with the supportforming the links of a -fourbar link-mechanism, a back-rest, said back-rest being pivoted to said support at a point'spaced from and out of coaxial alignmentiwith the pivotal connection of the seat with the support, a top link; the rear end of said top link being pivoted to an intermediate point of said back-rest above the pivotal connection between the backrest and the support, the front portion of said top link being pivoted to a; point of the connecting link spaced from its pivotal connection with the front link, and means whereby the effective'length of said seat may be varied and adjusted.

9; A reclining article of furniture, comprising: a support, a seatpivoted to said support at its rear end portion,a connecting link, the lower portion of said connecting link being pivoted tosaid support at a point spaced from the pivotal connection between the seat and the support, a front link, the lower portion of said front link being pivoted'to the front portion of said seat, the upper end portion of said front link being pivoted to the upper portion of said connecting link, said seat, said front link, said connecting link and the stationary portion of the 7 support between the pivotal connections of the connecting link with the support and of the seat with the support forming the links of a four-bar link-mechanism, a back-rest, said back-rest being pivoted to said support at a point spaced from and out of coaxial alignment with the pivotal connection of the seat with the support, a top link, the rear end of said top link being pivoted to an intermediate point of said backrest above the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support, the front portion of said top link being pivoted to a point of the connecting link spaced from its pivotal connection with the front link, and locking means associated with at least two members of the article, at least one of said members being a member of the linkage including said connecting link, said top link and said back-rest for locking said linkage with the back-rest in a predetermined position.

10. A reclining article of furniture, comprising: a support, a seat pivoted to said support at its rear end portion, a connecting link, the lower portion of said connecting link being pivoted to said support at a point spaced from the pivotal connection between the seat and'the support,a front link, the lower portion of said front link being pivoted to the front portion of said seat, the upper end portion of said front link being pivoted to the upper portion of said connecting link, said seat, said front link, said'connecting link and the stationary portion of the support between the pivotal connections of the connecting link with the su port and of the seat with the support forming the links of a four-bar link mechanism, a back-rest, said back-rest being pivoted to said support at a point spaced from and out of coaxial alignment with the pivotal connection of the seat with the su port, a top link, the rear end of said top link being pivoted to an intermediate point of said back-rest above the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support, the front portion of said top link being pivoted to a point of the connecting link spaced from its pivotal connection with" the front link, and locking means associat d with said seat and said support for locking said seat in'a predetermined osition. I

11. A reclining article of furniture, comprising: a su port. a seat pivoted to said support at its rear end portion, a connecting link, thelower portion of said connecting link being pivoted to said support at a point spaced from the pivotal connection between the seat and the su port, a front link, the lower portion of said front link being pivoted to the front portion of said seat, the upper end portion of said front link being pivoted to the upper portion of said connecting link, said seat, said front link, said connecting link and the stationary portion of the support between the pivotal connections of the connecting link with the support and of'the seat with the support forming the links of'a four-bar linkmechanism, a back-rest, said back-rest being pivoted to said support at anoint spaced from and out of coaxial alignment with the pivotal connection of the seat'with the supporiga top link, the rear end of said top link being pivoted to an intermediate point of said back-rest above the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support, the front portion of said top link-being pivoted to a point-of the connecting link spaced from its pivotal connection with the front link, a leg-rest swingably mounted on the front portion of the seat, and means for controlling the movements of said leg-rest in dependence on the movements of a movable member of the article.

'12. A reclining article of furniture, comprising: a support, a seat pivoted to said support at its rear end portion, a connecting link, the lower portionof said connecting link being pivoted to said support at a point spaced from the pivotal connection between the seat and the support,-a front link, the lower portion of said front link being pivoted to the front portion-of said seat, the upper end portion of said front link being pivoted to the upper portion of said connecting link, said seat, said front link, said connecting link a d the stationary portion of the support between the pivotal connections of the connecting link with the support and of the seat with the support forming the links of a four-bar linkmechanism, a back-rest, said back-rest being pivoted to said support at a point spaced from and out of coaxial alignment with the pivotal connection of the seat with the support, a top link, the rear end of said top link being pivoted to an intermediate point of said back-rest above the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support, the front portion of said top link being pivoted to a point of the connecting link spaced from its pivotal connection with the front link, said back-rest having a downward extension projecting beyond its pivotal connection with the support, a leg-rest'swingably mounted on the front portion of the seat, and a controlling link, said controlling link being pivoted at one of its ends to said downward extension of the backrest, and said controlling link being pivoted at its other end to said leg-rest.

13. A reclining article of furniture, comprising: a support, a seat pivoted to said support at its rear end portion, a connecting link, the lower portion of said connecting link being pivoted to said support at a point spaced from the pivotal connection between the seat and the support, a front link, the lower portion of said front link being pivoted to the front portion of said seat, the upper end portion of said front link being pivoted to the upper portion of said connecting link, said seat, said front link, said connecting link and the stationary portion of the support between the pivotal connections of the connect in link with the support and of the seat with the support forming the links of a four-bar linkmechanism, a back-rest, said back-rest being pivoted to said support at a point spaced from and out of coaxial alignment with the pivotal connection of the seat with the support, a top link, the rear end of said top link being pivoted to an intermediate point of said back-rest above the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support, the front portion of said top link being pivoted to a point of the connecting link spaced from its pivotal connection with the front link, said back-rest having a downward extension projecting beyond its pivotal connection with the support, a leg-rest swingably mounted on the front portion of the seat, a controlling link, said controlling link being pivoted at one of its ends to said downward extension of the back-rest and at its other end to said leg-rest, and means whereby the effective length of said controlling link may be varied and adjusted.

14. A reclining article of furniture, comprising: a support, a seat pivoted to said support at its rear end portion, a unit including a pair of connecting links rigidly connected with each other, one of said connecting links being arranged on one side of the article, the other connecting link being arranged on the other side of the article, said unit being swingably mounted at its lower portion on said support at a point spaced from the pivotal connection between the seat and the support, a front link arranged on each side of the article, the lower portion of each front link being pivoted to the front portion of said seat, the upper end portion of each front link being pivoted to the upper portion of said unit, a back-rest, said back-rest being pivoted to said support at a point spaced from and. out of coaxial alignment with the pivotal connection of theseat with the support, and a top link arranged on each side of the article, the rear end of each top link being pivoted to an intermediate point of said back-rest above the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support, and the front portion of each top link being pivoted to a point of said unit spaced from the pivotal connection of the latter with the front link.

15. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 14, said unit including a rod, and each of said connecting links being positively connected at its lower portion with said rod.

ANTON LORENZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 363,751 Longfellow May 24, 1887 1,919,110 Howath July 1.8, 1933 2,433,520 Lorenz Dec. 30, 1947 2,474,265 Lorenz June 28, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 5,725 Great Britain Apr. 9, 1887 

